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Three fires on Red Sea tanker attack confirm environmental risks

2024-08-23 17:56:00

New incidents in the Red Sea. Three fires were reported on a tanker abandoned by its crew and attacked by Iran-backed Houthi rebels off the coast of Yemen on Wednesday, the UK maritime safety agency UKMTO reported on Friday. The cause of these new fires is not yet clear. LiftAnd set sail« Seems to be drifting », UKMTO added.

UKMTO (UK Maritime Trade Operations), which is run by the Royal Navy, said it “ Three fires were reported. » On a Greek tanker « Sounion ”, was hit by three shells west of the port of Hodeidah in western Yemen.

The tanker, owned by Athens-based Delta Tankers, lost propulsion and was anchored in the Red Sea between Eritrea and Yemen after the attack, claimed by the Houthis, initially caused only a temporary fire on board and damaged the engine nacelle.

Environmental risk warning

The EU delegation to the Red Sea said on Thursday that the tanker crew had been evacuated. According to the Greek Shipping Ministry, there were 25 crew members on board, including two Russians and 23 Filipinos.

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The vessel, carrying 150,000 tonnes of crude oil, posed a danger to navigation and the environment, the ministry warned yesterday. Aspidos, We urge all parties concerned to act with caution.

The Greek company Delta Tankers declared: Plans are in place to move the vessel to a safer destination for a full assessment (inspection and possible repairs) ».

Attacks on Red Sea ships have been going on for months

Yemeni rebels have been waging months of attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, targeting ships they believe are linked to Israel and saying they are expressing solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, embroiled in a deadly war between Israel and Hamas, which has been in power for more than a dozen months.

Red Sea environmental disaster risk: cargo ship attacked by Houthi rebels sinks off Yemeni coast

Houthi attacks have disrupted traffic in Yemen’s waters, a key part of global trade, prompting the United States to form an international maritime coalition and strike at rebel targets in Yemen, sometimes with help from Britain.